FAIR Act

Senate Bill

S. 126

119th Congress

FAIR Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Brian Schatz

D - HI

Cosponsors

14

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

The FAIR Act provides a 3.3 percent across-the-board pay increase for federal employees in 2026 plus an additional 1 percent increase in locality pay. This applies to employees under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate employees.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The FAIR Act provides a 3.3 percent across-the-board pay increase for federal employees in 2026 plus an additional 1 percent increase in locality pay. This applies to employees under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate employees.

Last updated: 1/6/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR ActThis bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2026. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.3% and increases locality pay by 1%.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Increases federal employee base pay by 3.3 percent in 2026
Raises locality pay by additional 1 percent
Applies to statutory pay system employees
Covers prevailing rate employees
Total increase of approximately 4.3 percent

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Federal workers would receive a combined 4.3 percent pay increase in 2026. This helps federal salaries keep pace with inflation and private sector wages, aiding recruitment and retention of government employees.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

126, 119th Congress (2025). "FAIR Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-126